Riot police in Turkey used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse and block crowds gathered for an opposition rally in the western city of Izmir on Tuesday, intensifying a growing political crisis in the country.
Supporters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) had gathered to hear a speech by party leader Özgür Özel, but access to Cumhuriyet Square was blocked with steel barricades and heavy police deployment.
According to reports, police used water cannons against sections of the crowd as they attempted to reach the venue, while local media also reported the use of pepper spray to disperse gatherings.
The political tensions follow a controversial court ruling that removed Özel and other senior CHP leaders from their positions, replacing him with former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The decision has sparked widespread criticism from opposition supporters, who view it as politically motivated.
Özel, who became CHP leader after replacing Kılıçdaroğlu following internal party changes, has called for an urgent party congress and urged unity within the opposition. He also appealed to party leadership to allow members to choose their representatives through a vote.
Following the court ruling, supporters of the CHP staged protests and some party members reportedly barricaded themselves inside the party headquarters in Ankara before police intervened.
The confrontation in Izmir comes amid broader political tensions in Turkey, where the opposition has accused authorities of targeting rival leaders through legal and administrative measures. The government, however, maintains that the judiciary operates independently.
The CHP remains one of the strongest opposition forces in Turkey and has gained significant ground in recent municipal elections, particularly in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara.
